Semiconductor device and photoelectric conversion apparatus using the same

ABSTRACT

A semiconductor device comprises an emitter of first conductivity type, a base of second conductivity type, and a collector of first conductivity type. At least a vicinity of an interface of the emitter to base junction is formed by Si. Polycrystalline or single crystalline Si 1-x  C x  (x≦0.5) is formed on a region formed by the Si of said emitter. A junction between a region of the Si and a region of the polycrystalline and the single crystalline Si 1-x  C x  is a graded hetero junction.

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/879,871 filed May 7, 1992, now abandoned; which in turn, is a division of application Ser. No. 07/815,844, filed Dec. 31, 1991, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 5,144,398, issued Sept. 1, 1992; which in turn, is a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/500,797, filed Mar. 28, 1990, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a semiconductor device and a photoelectric conversion apparatus using the same.

2. Prior Art

A bipolar transistor (to be referred to as a BPT hereinafter) is conventionally known as a semiconductor device having a high operation speed, a high gain and a high withstand voltage.

Of conventional BPTs, a DOPOS BPT (Doped Poly Silicon BPT) is known as a BPT having a shallow junction and a high integration degree.

In a conventional BPT of this type, a natural oxide film having a film thickness of about 10 Å is formed between a polysilicon emitter region and a monocrystalline emitter region. This oxide film is broken or formed into balls by annealing at 1,000° C. or more.

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view for explaining a detailed arrangement of a conventional BPT. Referring to FIG. 1, a substrate 1 consisting of a semiconductor such as silicon has an n⁺ -type buried region 2, an n⁻ -type region 3 having a low impurity concentration, a p-type region 4 serving as a base region, an n⁺ -type region 5 serving as an emitter region, an n-type region 6 serving as a channel stopper, an n⁺ -type region 7 for decreasing a collector resistance of a BPT, an oxide film (SiO₂) 8 formed between a polysilicon emitter region and a monocrystalline emitter region, insulating films 101, 102, 103 and 104 for isolating elements, electrodes and wirings, and electrodes 200-1 to 200-3 consisting of, e.g., a metal, silicide and polycide.

The substrate 1 is of n type obtained by doping an impurity such as phosphorus (Ph), antimony (Sb) or arsenic or p type obtained by doping an impurity such as boron (B), aluminum (A1) or gallium (Ga). The buried region 2 need not be formed but is preferably provided in order to decrease the collector resistance. The n⁻ -type region 3 is formed by an epitaxial technique or the like. An impurity such as boron (B), gallium (Ga) or aluminum (A1) is doped in the base region 4. Polycrystalline silicon is used as the emitter region 5.

In a BPT having the above arrangement, since a flow of holes from the base to the emitter can be blocked by a potential barrier formed in a valence band by a natural oxide film produced in an interface between the base and the emitter, a current gain can be advantageously increased.

FIG. 2 is a potential view schematically showing a potential obtained upon normal operation in a portion in which the natural oxide film is present in a depth direction of an A-A' section of the conventional semiconductor device shown in FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 2, W_(E) represents the thickness of an emitter neutral region, and W_(B) represents a base neutral region. As shown in FIG. 2, a potential barrier is present at a position represented by W_(E) ' since the natural oxide film is partially formed between the polysilicon emitter region and the monocrystalline emitter region.

In this conventional semiconductor device, a base current mainly consists of the following components.

A diffusion current of holes from the base to the emitter consists of a current component approximately represented by equation 1-(1) in a portion in which the natural oxide film and therefore the potential barrier are present:

    J.sub.B1 =(q·n.sub.i.sup.2 ·D.sub.P /N.sub.E ·L.sub.P)×tan h(W.sub.E '/L.sub.P)  exp(V.sub.BE /kT)-1!1-(1)

A base current J_(B1) injected from the base to the emitter in a portion in which no natural oxide film is present is represented by the following equation:

    J.sub.B1 =(q·n.sub.i.sup.2 ·D.sub.P /N.sub.E ·L.sub.P)×cot h(W.sub.E /L.sub.P)  exp(V.sub.BE /kT)-1!1-(2)

If a grain size of polycrystals is large enough to satisfy W_(B) <<L_(P), the following equation is obtained:

    J.sub.B1 '≅(q·n.sub.i.sup.2 ·D.sub.P /N.sub.E ·W.sub.E)  exp(V.sub.BE /kT)-1!                  1-(3)

That is, J_(B1) ' is inversely proportional to the emitter thickness W_(E) and is increased as W_(E) is decreased. Therefore, as the integration degree of a semiconductor device is increased, J_(B1) ' is increased and a current gain h_(FE) is decreased.

If a grain size of polysilicon is small enough to satisfy W_(E) ≧L_(P), coth(W_(E) /L_(P))≅1 is obtained since a diffusion length L_(P) is small, and the following equation is obtained:

    J.sub.B1 '≅(q·n.sub.i.sup.2 ·D.sub.P /N.sub.E ·L.sub.P)  exp(V.sub.BE /kT)-1!                  1-(4)

Since L_(P) is large, J_(B1) ' is increased. L_(P) changes in accordance with the size or formation conditions of crystal grains of polysilicon, or a base current value is largely influenced by breakdown of the natural oxide film, thereby causing variations in individual BPTs or reducing stability.

A recombination current of electrons injected from the emitter is represented by: ##EQU1##

A collector current is represented by:

    J.sub.C =(q·n.sub.i.sup.2 ·D.sub.n /N.sub.B ·L.sub.n)  cos ech(W.sub.B /L.sub.N)!× exp(V.sub.BE /kT)-1!1-(6)

where q is the electric charge, n_(i) is the intrinsic semiconductor charge density (Si), N_(E) is the impurity concentration of the emitter, N_(B) is the impurity concentration of the base, D_(P) is the diffusion coefficient of holes, D_(N) is the diffusion coefficient of electrons, L_(P) is the diffusion length of holes (≅(D_(P) τ_(P))^(1/2)), L_(N) is the diffusion length of electrons (≅(D_(N) τ_(N))^(1/2)), k is the Boltzmann constant, T is the absolute temperature, and V_(BE) is the base-emitter forward bias electron. Note that τ_(P) and τ_(N) represent minority carrier lifetimes of holes and electrons, respectively.

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view showing another arrangement of a conventional BPT. A difference between the BPTs shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 is that no natural oxide film is present between a polysilicon emitter region and a monocrystalline emitter region of the BPT shown in FIG. 3. In FIG. 3, the same reference numerals as in FIG. 1 denote the same parts.

In the BPT shown in FIG. 3, a base current becomes a current represented by equation 1-(4). Especially when a junction is shallowed in a semiconductor device having a high integration degree and a high density, the current is increased to decrease h_(FE), thereby reducing current drive power. In a BPT in which all emitters consist of monocrystals, h_(FE) is significantly decreased upon integration at a high integration degree.

In such a conventional BPT, an impurity concentration of an emitter region 5 is 10¹⁹ to 10²¹ cm⁻³, that of a base region is 10¹⁶ to 10¹⁸ cm⁻³, and that of a collector region is 10¹⁴ to 10¹⁶ cm⁻³.

In this BPT, however, narrowing of a band gap occurs since the impurity concentration of the emitter region is high (10¹⁹ cm⁻³ or more). Therefore, an injection efficiency of carriers from the emitter to the base is sometimes decreased (i.e., the current gain h_(FE) is decreased).

In addition, since the impurity concentration of the base is low, the BPT sometimes cannot normally operate at low temperatures (e.g., 77° K. or less).

In a BPT in which a junction is shallowed in order to increase a packing density, the impurity concentration of the base must be increased to prevent punchthrough between the emitter and the collector. In this case, however, a withstand voltage between the base and the emitter is decreased, and a capacitance between the base and the emitter is increased.

The potential barrier is formed not only in a valence band but also in a conduction band by the oxide film. Therefore, a flow of electrons as majority carriers in the emitter is blocked, and consequently, the current dependency of the current gain h_(FE) has a gradient.

It is difficult to uniformly produce the natural oxide film. In addition, when the natural oxide film breaks down or is formed into balls by annealing, the base current changes. This phenomenon does not uniformly occur in individual BPTs to cause a variation, thereby varying the characteristics of the BPTs.

Especially in a linear IC, a photoelectric conversion apparatus (area sensor), a line sensor and the like in which a characteristic variation in individual BPTs is considered as a problem, the above phenomenon has a significant influence and therefore is considered as a serious problem.

In a photoelectric conversion apparatus using BPTs as sensor cells, a variation is a main cause of noise and therefore is a serious problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems of the conventional techniques and has as its object to provide a semiconductor device which has a high current gain h_(FE) and can be stably operated at low temperatures and a photoelectric conversion apparatus using the same.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a semiconductor device which does not pose a problem of a gradient in current dependency of a current gain or a characteristic variation and a photoelectric conversion apparatus using the same.

Still further object of the present invention is to provide a semiconductor device comprising an emitter of first conductivity type, a base of second conductivity type, and a collector of first conductivity type, wherein at least a vicinity of an interface of the emitter to base junction is formed by Si, polycrystalline or single crystalline Si_(1-x) C_(x) (x≧0.5) is formed on a region formed by the Si of said emitter, and a junction between a region of the Si and a region of the polycrystalline and the single crystalline Si_(1-x) C_(x) is a graded hetero junction.

Still further object of the present invention is to provide a semiconductor device comprising an emitter of first conductivity type, a base of second conductivity type, and a collector of first conductivity type, wherein at least a vicinity of an interface of emitter to base junction is formed by Si, polycrystalline or single crystalline Si_(1-x) C_(x) (x≦0.5) is formed on a region of Si within said emitter, a junction between the region of Si and the region of polycrystalline or single crystalline Si_(1-x) C_(x) is graded hetero junction, at least a portion under the region of Si within said emitter is formed by a single crystalline Si doped with B and Ge, and a concentration of B is no less than 1×10¹⁸ cm⁻³.

Still further object of the present invention is to provide a semiconductor device comprising an emitter of first conductivity type, a base of second conductivity type, and a collector of first conductivity type, wherein at least a portion of the emitter side at an emitter-base junction interface is formed by Si, a polycrystalline or a single crystalline Si_(1-x) C_(x) (x≦0.5) is formed on a region formed by the Si of the emitter, at least a portion under the region formed by the Si of emitter is formed by Si_(1-y) Ge_(y) (0<Y<1), at least one of a junction between the region of Si and the region of polycrystalline or single crystalline Si_(1-x) C_(x) and a junction between the region of Si and the region of Si_(1-y) Ge_(y) is a graded hetero junction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a conventional bipolar transistor (BPT);

FIG. 2 shows a potential configuration in of depth along A-A' in FIG. 1; a direction

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of a conventional bipolar transistor (BPT);

FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 Shows a potential configuration in a direction of depth along A-A' in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an energy band diagram of n--n hetero junction;

FIG. 7 is a graph showing an example of potential changing of a conduction band;

FIG. 8 shows SIMS analysis;

FIG. 9 is a graph showing a solid-state solubility of an impurity in a silicon;

FIG. 10 shows a relation between the base and emitter concentrations at each base thickness;

FIG. 11 shows a relation between the base and emitter concentration for particularly designed dielectric constant;

FIG. 12 is a schematic sectional view of another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 shows an energy band gap relating to a ratio between a silicon and germanium;

FIG. 14 shows a ratio between the silicon and the germanium and a transition;

FIG. 15 shows a relation between ΔE_(G) and E_(Tmax) ;

FIG. 16 shows a SIMS analysis;

FIG. 17 is a schematic sectional view of further embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is an enlarged partial sectional view of an emitter portion of BPT in FIG. 21;

FIG. 19 is a circuit diagram of a solid-state image pick-up apparatus using the BPT according to the present invention;

FIG. 20 shows a potential configuration in a direction of depth along A-A' in FIG. 4 according to another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 21 is a schematic sectional view of still further embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below.

In order to solve the problems of the conventional BPT and achieve the above objects of the present invention, in a BPT according to the present invention, at least a region near a junction interface between the emitter and the base consists of Si, polycrystalline or monocrystalline Si_(1-x) C_(x) (x≦0.5) is formed on the Si region of the emitter, and a junction between the Si region and the polycrystalline or monocrystalline Si_(1-x) C_(x) region is a graded heterojunction.

In this BPT, at least a region below the Si region of the emitter preferably consists of monocrystalline Si doped with B and Ge.

The Si_(1-x) C_(x) region is an SiC region 401 shown in a schematic sectional view in FIG. 4 (in which the same reference numerals as in FIG. 1 denote the same parts).

The Si_(1-x) C_(x) region can be formed by ion implantation.

A mixed crystal ratio x of Si_(1-x) C_(x) is preferably 0.0125≦x≦0.5, and more preferably, 0.0125≦x≦0.075.

Doping of C, B and Ge can be performed by ion implantation.

A concentration of C in Si_(1-x) C_(x) is preferably 6×10²⁰ cm⁻³ or more.

An impurity concentration of the emitter is preferably 1×10¹⁹ cm⁻³ or less. Assuming that in polycrystalline or monocrystalline Si doped with B and Ge, a concentration of B is N_(B) and that of Ge is N_(Ge), N_(Ge) >8.25 N_(B) is preferred.

It is preferred to form a high-concentration impurity layer on the Si_(1-x) C_(x) region of the emitter.

The high-concentration impurity layer preferably consists of Si_(1-x) C_(x) (x>0.0125).

The use of ion implantation is very preferable since doping of C, Ge and the like can be precisely performed and therefore mixed crystal components can be precisely set.

In particular, in the present invention, it is very important to form the Si_(1-x) C_(x) region by ion implantation.

According to the present invention, the oxide film described above is removed, and the region containing carbon is formed in the emitter.

That is, in the present invention, the natural oxide film formed between the emitter and base regions is removed to remove the potential barrier at both the conduction band and valence band sides, and the region containing carbon is formed in the emitter, thereby forming a potential barrier at the valence band side.

According to the present invention, therefore, a characteristic variation between individual BPTs can be eliminated since no oxide film is present, and a current gain can be increased since the potential barrier is formed in the valence band.

In addition, in order to solve the above problems of the conventional techniques and achieve the above objects of the present invention, in a BPT according to the present invention, at least a region near a junction interface between the emitter and the base consists of Si, a polycrystalline or monocrystalline Si_(1-x) C_(x) (x≦0.5) is formed on the Si region of the emitter, a neutral region of the base consists of polycrystalline or monocrystalline Si_(1-y) Ge_(y) (0<y<1), and at least one of a junction between the Si region and the polycrystalline or monocrystalline Si_(1-x) C_(x) region and a junction between the Si region and the Si_(1-y) Ge_(y) region is a graded heterojunction.

A schematic sectional view of this arrangement is shown in FIG. 12 and will be described later.

At least one of the Si_(1-x) C_(x) and Si_(1-y) Ge_(y) regions is preferably formed by ion implantation.

A mixed crystal ratio x of C in Si_(1-x) C_(x) is preferably 0.0125≦x≦0.075.

A mixed crystal ratio y of Ge in Si_(1-y) Ge_(y) is preferably 0.0625≦y≦0.375.

The Si_(1-y) Ge_(y) region is preferably, selectively formed only below the Si region of the emitter.

In the present invention, a silicon oxide film conventionally formed between the emitter and base regions is removed, the region (Si_(1-x) C_(x) region) containing carbon is formed in the emitter region, and Ge is doped in at least the base region to form the Si_(1-y) Ge_(y) mixed crystal region.

That is, in the present invention, the oxide film formed in the emitter region is removed to remove the above-mentioned potential barrier from both the conduction band and valence band sides, the region containing carbon is formed in the emitter to form a potential barrier at the valence band side, and the region consisting of Si_(1-y) Ge_(y) mixed crystals is formed in the base to increase the number of carriers injected from the emitter to the base.

According to the present invention, therefore, a characteristic variation between individual BPTs can be eliminated since no oxide film is formed, and a current gain can be increased since the potential barrier is formed in the valence band and the number of carriers injected from the emitter to the base is increased.

The present invention will be described in detail below.

(Si_(1-x) C_(x) Region)

According to the present invention, a potential barrier is formed in the emitter by forming an Si_(1-x) C_(x) region to suppress diffusion of carriers injected from the base to the emitter, thereby decreasing the current J_(B1) represented by equation 1-(1). That is, since

    tan h(W.sub.E '/L.sub.P)=W.sub.E '/L.sub.P <<1

is established for L_(P) >>W_(E) ', J_(B1) can be decreased.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below.

(Si_(1-x) C_(x) Region)

In the present invention, a potential barrier is formed by forming an Si_(1-x) C_(x) region to suppress diffusion of carriers injected from the base to the emitter, thereby decreasing the base current J_(B1) injected from the base to the emitter.

Analytical theoretical equations of base and collector currents obtained when the potential barrier is formed at only the valence band side are as follows.

That is, the base current mainly consists of a diffusion current of holes from the base to the emitter:

    J.sub.B1 =(q·n.sub.i.sup.2 ·D.sub.P /N.sub.E ·L.sub.P)×tan h(W.sub.E '/L.sub.P)  exp(V.sub.BE /kT)-1!2-(1)

(for ΔE₁ >>kT), and a recombination current of electrons injected from the emitter: ##EQU2##

The collector current is represented by: ##EQU3## where q is the electric charge, n_(i) is the intrinsic semiconductor charge density (Si), N_(E) is the impurity concentration of the emitter, N_(B) is the impurity concentration of the base, D_(P) is the diffusion coefficient of holes, D_(N) is the diffusion coefficient of electrons, L_(P) is the diffusion length (≅(D_(P)τP)^(1/2)) of holes, L_(N) is the diffusion length (≅(D_(N)τN)^(1/2) of electrons, k is the Boltzmann constant, T is the absolute temperature, and V_(BE) is the base-emitter forward bias electron. Note that τ_(P) and τ_(N) represent minority carrier lifetimes of holes and carriers, respectively.

That is, in the present invention, since

    tan h(W.sub.E '/L.sub.P)=W.sub.E '/L.sub.P <1              2-(4)

is established for L_(P) >W_(E) ', J_(B1) can be decreased. If 2W_(E) '<<L_(P) is satisfied, this effect is further enhanced. In the present invention, it is more preferred to form the emitter by monocrystals. If the emitter consists of polycrystals, L_(P) is small, and the stability of characteristics is lower than that obtained by monocrystals due to a change in size of crystal grains or recrystallization caused by an annealing process.

(Graded Heterojunction)

A graded heterojunction (of a graded type) which is one feature of the present invention will be described.

When an amount of carbon to be ion-implanted in the emitter is increased and annealing is performed, SiC is formed. With a medium dose, SiC is represented by Si_(1-x) C_(x) for x≦0.5. A voltage of about 2.1 eV is normally given to a forbidden band width of SiC. Neither of the conduction and valence bands of SiC coincide with those of Si. Therefore, SiC has both of a conduction band difference ΔE_(C) and a valence band difference ΔE_(V) with respect to Si.

Although various data are available, the values are assumed such that ΔE_(C) ≅0.3 to 0.4 eV and ΔE_(V) ≅0.5 to 0.6 eV. In a mixed crystal of Si and C, ΔE_(C) and ΔE_(V) gradually change approximately in proportion to x.

A case in which a junction is not a graded junction, i.e., a band is discontinuous will be described below. When the band is discontinuous, ΔE_(C) and ΔE_(V) have large influences on a carrier flow to interfere with an emitter electron flow and holes injected from the base.

FIG. 6 is a band diagram of an n-n heterojunction obtained when a stepwise junction of n-Si and n-Si_(1-x) C_(x) is formed. As shown in FIG. 6, a conduction band side discontinuity ΔE_(C) and a valence band side discontinuity ΔE_(V) occur.

Assuming that the band gap of n-Si_(1-x) C_(x) is E_(g1) and its Fermi level is E_(F1), and the band gap of n-Si is E_(g2) and its Fermi level is E_(F2), the following equation is established:

    E.sub.g1 -E.sub.g2 =ΔE.sub.C +ΔE.sub.V         2-(5)

In the heterojunction, when the two constituting materials are isolated, electrons migrate from one having a higher Fermi level, and a depletion layer is formed in an interface therebetween. In order to simplify the explanation, assume that an energy difference from the conduction band E_(V) to the Fermi level is the same in the two materials. In this case, a barrier height of electrons from the Si_(1-x) C_(x) side in FIG. 6 is ΔE_(C) /2. The thickness of the potential barrier depends of an impurity concentration. For example, when x=0.5, ΔE_(C) /2=0.15 to 0.2 eV and therefore is a large obstacle for the emitter electron flow. Holes injected from the base are substantially perfectly blocked by a barrier substantially close to ΔE_(V) +ΔE_(C).

In a graded heterojunction (of a graded type), however, a potential barrier in a conduction band is approximately represented by the following equation and is almost not problematic:

    ΔE.sub.C (x)=(ΔE.sub.C /2)× 1+tan h{(x-x.sub.O)/L)}!2-(6)

where x_(O) is the center of a graded region and L is the effective length of the graded region.

FIG. 7 is a graph showing changes in potential in the conduction band obtained when L=0, 10, 25 and 50 Å. As shown in FIG. 7, the band linearly changes when L=50 Å. In the present invention, since C⁺ is ion-implanted, substantially the entire region becomes a graded region, and therefore no barrier is formed at the conduction band side.

The upper and lower limits of a C concentration will be described below.

The upper limit of C is a concentration for obtaining SiC. That is, if this concentration is represented by x, x=0.5. If this concentration is represented by a carbon concentration, a concentration of C is 5×10²² cm⁻³ since a concentration of Si is 5×10²² cm⁻³ If a larger amount of C is doped, excessive carbon is produced to degrade crystallinity. Note that x≦0.075 is more preferable for the following reason.

That is, when the C concentration becomes substantially the same as the Si concentration, polycrystals of SiC are produced inside. Before that, polycrystals of SiC are partially formed. Therefore, in order to reduce stress of Si_(1-x) C_(x) for forming the emitter, a smaller amount of C is preferred in terms of crystallinity.

ΔE_(g) need only be about 0.1 eV. If ΔE_(g) =0.1 eV, exp(-0.1/kT)=0.018 and a passing ratio of electrons becomes about 2%. That is, if the mixed crystal ratio x of Si_(1-x) C_(x) is x 0.05 or the peak value of C concentration is 2.5×10²¹ cm⁻³ satisfactory blocking power can be obtained. If ΔE_(g) of the hetero BPT is 0.15 or more, an ft characteristic is saturated. In view of this, x≦0.075 is preferred.

The lower limit of C is determined by the hole blocking power.

A probability of passing the potential barrier can be approximated by the following equation:

    P(h)=exp{-(E.sub.g1 -E.sub.g2)/kT}                         2-(7)

Therefore, if E_(g1) -E_(g2) ≧kT, the effect of the present invention can be obtained.

Since kT=0.025 eV at room temperature, the lower limit of x of Si_(1-x) C_(x) is obtained as x 0.0125 assuming that a band gap difference between SiC and Si is 1 eV. At a lower temperature, the lower limit of x is decreased in accordance with kT. The lower limit at room temperature represented by the C concentration is C≧6×10²⁰ cm⁻³.

A method of forming the Si_(1-x) C_(x) region will be described below.

Si_(1-x) C_(x) is preferably formed by ion-implanting C in Si.

When carbon is doped by ion implantation, a maximum concentration can be obtained at a portion having a predetermined depth from the surface and a concentration on the surface can be set to be low. Therefore, an ohmic resistance between the Si_(1-x) C_(x) region and a metal electrode 200-1 can be set to be substantially the same as an ohmic resistance between Si and the metal electrode. For this purpose, the composition of Si_(1-x) C_(x) on the surface need only satisfy ΔE_(g) <kT. That is, if x<0.0125 or less, an increase in ohmic resistance is not a problem.

FIG. 8 is a graph showing a result obtained by ion-implanting C⁺ at 50 kV and a dose of 1×10¹⁶ cm⁻² and analyzing a concentration by using an SIMS. As shown in FIG. 8, C has a peak concentration of 1×10²¹ cm⁻³ at a portion having a depth of about 1,000 Å from the surface and a width of 2,000 Å. Since the C concentration on the surface is about 1/10 the peak concentration, the surface layer is very close to Si. For example, if x=0.1 at the peak concentration, x is about 0.01 on the surface.

(Impurity Concentration of Emitter)

A desired impurity concentration of the emitter is 1×10¹⁹ cm⁻³ or less in order to prevent band gap narrowing.

Band gap narrowing will be described first.

In an n-type semiconductor having a high impurity concentration, the width of a donor level is widened to be connected as a donor band to a conduction band of the semiconductor in terms of energy, thereby forming a degenerate conduction band. As a result, band end tailing occurs to change the band gap from E_(g) to E_(g) ', thereby causing band gap narrowing of ΔE_(g) =E_(g) -E_(g) '.

In high-concentration doping of a p-type semiconductor, similar band tailing occurs in the valence band to cause narrowing of a band width (forbidden band width) E_(g). The value of band narrowing can be approximately represented by the following equation:

    ΔE.sub.g =(3q.sup.2 /16πε.sub.s)×(q.sup.2 N/ε.sub.s kT).sup.1/2                             2-(8)

where q is the electric charge, ε_(s) is the semiconductor permittivity, k is the Boltzmann constant, T is the absolute temperature, and N is the impurity concentration.

If a semiconductor is Si and a temperature is room temperature, the following equation is obtained:

    ΔE.sub.g =22.5(N/10.sup.18).sup.1/2 meV              2-(9)

Therefore, if N=1×10¹⁸ cm⁻³, ΔE_(g) =22.5 meV is obtained. Assuming that a carrier concentration obtained when no band gap narrowing occurs is n_(i) ², an effective carrier concentration n^(i) '² obtained when narrowing occurs is given as follows:

    n.sub.i '.sup.2 =n.sub.i.sup.2 exp(ΔE.sub.g /kT)     2-(10)

In order to prevent such band gap narrowing, it is preferred to limit the impurity concentration of the emitter. This will be described in detail below.

The lower limit of the impurity concentration of the emitter will be described first.

As described above, the collector current is represented by equation 2-(6), and the following equation is established for W_(B) <<L_(n) and V_(BE) >>kT:

    J.sub.C ={(q·n.sub.i.sup.2 ·D.sub.n)/(N.sub.B ·W.sub.B)} exp(V.sub.BE /kT)                     2-(11)

This equation is normally established within the range in which the following minority carrier approximation is established:

    N.sub.D >>(n.sub.i.sup.2 /N.sub.B)exp(V.sub.BE /kT)        2-(12)

(where N_(D) is the impurity concentration of the emitter)

A region in which the above equation is not established is the current drive limit of the transistor.

Therefore, the following equation obtained by substituting (n_(i) ² /N_(B))exp(V_(BE) /kT) with the emitter concentration N_(D) represents the current drive limit for defining the emitter concentration of the transistor:

    J.sub.C ≅q·(D.sub.n /W.sub.B)·N.sub.D 2-(13)

In a normal transistor, 1×10⁴ to 10⁵ A/cm² is required as J_(C).

Since D_(n) =(kT/q)μn, D_(n) is calculated by using conventional data as μn, and the lower limit of N_(B) is calculated for W_(B) =0.05, 0.1 and 0.2 μm. As a result, a graph shown in FIG. 10 is obtained.

In an integrated circuit, a withstand voltage of at least 2 V or more is required. For the sake of safety, it is preferred to set a higher concentration than the lower limit of the impurity concentration of the emitter obtained when an application voltage across the emitter and the base is 3 V and electric field ε=1 MV/cm. This is because when an emitter size is decreased (e.g., 3×3 μm²) and the depth of an emitter junction is decreased (e.g., 0.5 μm or less) in an actual semiconductor device or the like, a current is increased by an influence of a current around the emitter.

The upper limit of the impurity concentration of the emitter will be described.

A maximum electric field (stepwise junction approximation) ε_(m) and a depletion layer width W of a p-n junction can be represented by the following equations:

    ε.sub.m  {2q(V.sub.bi +V)/ε.sub.s }{(N.sub.B ·N.sub.D)/(N.sub.B +N.sub.D)}!.sup.1/2           2-(14)

    W= {2ε.sub.s /q}{(N.sub.B ·N.sub.D)/(N.sub.B +N.sub.D)}{V.sub.bi +V}!.sup.1/2                          2-(15)

where V_(bi) is the diffusion potential ε_(s) is the permittivity, N_(B) is the base concentration, N_(D) is the emitter concentration, and V is the application voltage.

FIG. 11 is a graph showing a relationship between the base concentration N_(B) and the emitter concentration N_(D) obtained when ε_(m) =1 MV/cm for application voltage V=1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. For example, when the application voltage is 3 V or more, the emitter concentration is preferably 4.5×10¹⁸ cm⁻³ or less for the base concentration of 1×10¹⁸ cm⁻³ The emitter concentration is preferably 1×10¹⁸ cm⁻³ or less for the base concentration of 5×10¹⁸ cm⁻³ and is preferably 9×10¹⁷ cm⁻³ or less for the base concentration of 1×10¹⁹ cm⁻³. When the base concentration is 1×10¹⁸ cm⁻³ or more, the emitter concentration is preferably 4.5×10¹⁸ cm⁻³ or less, and this is the preferable upper limit.

When the application voltage is 2.5 V and ε_(m=) 1 MV/cm, the emitter concentration is preferably 1×10¹⁹ cm⁻³, and this is the preferable upper limit.

(Base Impurity Concentration)

An impurity concentration of boron (B) will be described.

In the present invention, the concentration of B in the base is increased to cause band gap narrowing, thereby increasing an injection efficiency of carriers from the emitter and preventing freezing of the carriers at a low temperature.

In equation 2-(5) described above, the term exp(ΔE_(g) /kT) indicates a band gap narrowing effect obtained by increasing the impurity concentration of the base. It is apparent from the equation that J_(B2) is increased when ΔE_(g) >kT. In this case, since kT=25 meV at room temperature, the base concentration need only be N_(B) >1×10¹⁸ cm⁻³ in accordance with equation 2-(2).

By increasing the concentration of the base as described above, an injection efficiency of carriers from the emitter can be increased, and freezing of the carriers at a lower temperature can be prevented.

The reason for adopting B as an impurity is as follows.

That is, a p-type impurity has lower solubility in silicon than that of phosphorus (P) or arsenic (As) as an n-type impurity. FIG. 9 shows data of solubility of an impurity in solid state silicon. Referring to FIG. 9, the abscissa indicates a temperature (T°C.), and the ordinate indicates the solubility in a solid state. Although B, Ga and A1 are available as a p-type impurity, B can be dissolved at a highest concentration. If an impurity is doped at a solid solution degree or more, the impurity precipitates in Si to cause a defect in a semiconductor device manufacturing process, thereby adversely affecting the characteristics of a BPT. Note that this phenomenon depends on the temperature of the process.

For the above reason, B which can be most stably doped at a high concentration is optimal as a p-type impurity.

In the present invention, Ge can be doped in the base region simultaneously with B.

Doping of Ge is performed to narrow the band gap.

Ge has a narrower band gap than that of Si. While the band gap of Si is E_(gSi) ≅1.1 eV, that of Ge is E_(gGe) ≅0.7 eV. A crystal composition of Si_(1-x) Ge_(x) is approximately represented by the following equation:

    E.sub.g '=E.sub.gSi -X(E.sub.gSi -E.sub.gGe)               2-(16)

Therefore, if X=0.1, ΔE_(g) (=E_(g) '-E_(gSi)) is about 20 meV.

The concentration limit of Ge will be described.

In the present invention, the concentration of Ge is preferably 8.25 times or more the concentration of B. This reason will be described below.

When an impurity is doped at a high concentration, a tetrahedral atomic radius of the impurity in Si is important. That is, since Si has a diamond crystal, a tetrahedral bond is formed, and an atomic radius r of the bond is important. An atomic radius difference represented by 100×(r_(Ge) -r_(Si))/r_(Si) is about -25 when B is used.

100 ×(r_(Ge) -r_(Si))/r_(Si) of Ge is about +4, i.e., larger than that of Si by 4%. Ideally, when a dose of Ge is 25/4=8.25 times that of B, a lattice strain can be perfectly corrected.

In the present invention, however, since a p-type region of the base can have an impurity concentration distribution by, e.g., ion implantation, a structure not easily producing the lattice strain can be manufactured. Therefore, the concentration of Ge need not be limited as described above. Therefore, in order to narrow the band gap, the dose of Ge is preferably 8.25 times or more that of B.

(Si_(1-y) Ge_(y) Region)

A mixed crystal of silicon (Si) and germanium (Ge) in the base region described above will be described in detail below.

Each of Si and Ge is a perfect solid solution having the same diamond crystal, and a perfect diamond crystal is obtained for each of y (0<y<1) of Si_(1-y) Ge_(y).

The forbidden band width E_(g) is approximately 1.1 eV in a crystal consisting of only Si and is approximately 0.7 eV in a crystal consisting of only Ge. The forbidden band width E_(g) of the Si_(1-y) Ge_(y) mixed crystal changes as y increases as shown in FIG. 13. Referring to FIG. 13, the abscissa indicates a mixed crystal ratio y, the ordinate indicates the forbidden band width E_(g), the reduction width ΔE_(c) at the conduction band side and the reduction width ΔE_(v) at the valence band side. As is apparent from FIG. 6, reduction in forbidden band width of the Si_(1-y) Ge_(y) mixed crystal upon increase in y mostly occurs in the valence band. Therefore, since no electron barrier for electrons injected from the emitter is present and no band discontinuity is formed as in the case of Si_(1-x) C_(x) and Si, the number of electrons injected from the emitter to the base can be increased.

When the Si_(1-y) Ge_(y) mixed crystal is used a difference in lattice constant between Si and Ge is a problem. The lattice constant of Si is d_(Si) =5.43086 Å, and that of Ge is d_(Ge) =5.65748 Å, providing a difference of about 4% as described above. Therefore, when Si_(1-y) Ge_(y) is formed on Si, stress is naturally produced, and dislocation occurs when the stress is significant.

A predetermined relationship is present between the mixed crystal ratio y of the Si_(1-y) Ge_(y) mixed crystal and the thickness which does not cause dislocation. FIG. 14 shows a relationship between the mixed crystal ratio y of Si_(1-y) Ge_(y) indicated by the abscissa and "with dislocation"(symbol •) plus "without dislocation" (symbol ∘) indicated by the ordinate. This data indicates results obtained by checking Si_(1-y) Ge_(y) deposited on an Si substrate by a molecular beam epitaxial method (MBE method). In a layer having a uniform mixed crystal ratio y, dislocation occurs in the interface unless the layer thickness is smaller than a hatched region in FIG. 14. Note that since the data is obtained by performing epitaxial growth at 510° C., the thickness of a transition region from Si_(1-y) Ge_(y) to Si is very small, i.e., 50 Å or less. In the present invention, a stepwise graded heterojunction is formed in this region to solve the problem of dislocation.

The mixed crystal ratio of Si_(1-y) Ge_(y) will be described below.

The mixed crystal ratio y of Si_(1-y) Ge_(y) is preferably a value for obtaining ΔE₂ ≅kT by an effect of exp(ΔE₂ /kT) of equation 2-(12).

For example, when the device is to be used at room temperature, y is preferably 0.0625 or more since ΔE₂ =0.025 eV.

The mixed crystal ratio y is preferably 0.5 or less, and more preferably, 0.375 or less.

The mixed crystal ratio y is preferably 0.5 or less because y≦0.5 and t≦100 Å are preferred to obtain hetero BPT characteristics without causing lattice strain in accordance with the relationship between the Ge mixed crystal ratio y and the critical thickness t shown in FIG. 14.

The mixed crystal ratio y is more preferably 0.375 or less on the basis of a graph showing a relationship between ΔE_(g) and F_(Tmax) shown in FIG. 15. Referring to FIG. 15, F_(Tmax) is not improved even when ΔE_(g) >0.15 eV. Therefore, ΔE_(g) ≦0.15 eV is sufficient. When ΔE_(g) ≦0.15 eV, the mixed crystal ratio y≦0.375.

For these reasons, 0.0625≦y≦0.375 is an optimal range of y.

A method of forming the Si_(1-y) Ge_(y) will be described below.

Si_(1-y) Ge_(y) is preferably formed by ion-implanting Ge in Si.

FIG. 16 shows results obtained by ion-implanting Ge⁺ at 150 keV and a dose of 1×10¹⁶ cm⁻² and analyzing by using an SIMS for a case without annealing and a case with annealing at 1,100° C. for four hours.

As is apparent from FIG. 16, the peak concentration in Si is present around 0.1 μm. When annealing is performed at 1,100° C. for four hours, a flat portion is widened to facilitate formation of the base.

A distribution function of the Ge concentration with respect to a depth direction x in the semiconductor upon ion implantation is approximately represented by the following relation:

    N(x)≅(N.sub.o /2.5R.sub.P)exp-{(x-R.sub.P).sup.2 /ΔR.sub.P }2-(17)

where N_(o) is the implantation amount per unit area, R_(P) is the peak position, and ΔR_(P) is the distance from the peak to unit diffusion amount (1δ). R_(P) and ΔR_(P) change in accordance with an application voltage.

(Monocrystal and Polycrystal)

Although the emitter may consist of monocrystalline Si or polycrystalline Si, it preferably consists of monocrystalline Si. This is because when the emitter consists of monocrystals, the diffusion length L_(P) of holes is increased to increase a diffusion current of the holes from the base to the emitter, thereby increasing the current gain (h_(FE) =J_(C) /(J_(B1) +J_(B2))). In addition, the grain size of crystal grains of polycrystalline Si differs in accordance with the formation conditions to cause a variation in BPT characteristics. Monocrystalline Si does not pose such a problem.

Embodiments!

(Embodiment 1)

FIG. 4 is a view showing a semiconductor device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 4, the same reference numerals as in FIG. 1 denote the same parts. The semiconductor device according to this embodiment differs from the conventional semiconductor device shown in FIG. 1 in that an emitter region 5 consists of monocrystals and carbon (C) is ion-implanted to form an S_(1-x) C_(x) region 401.

FIG. 5 is a view showing a potential upon normal operation in the depth direction of a section A-A' of the semiconductor device shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 5 shows a thickness W_(E) of an emitter neutral region and a thickness W_(B) of a base neutral region. As shown in FIG. 5, a potential barrier is present at a position indicated by W_(E) '.

A BPT manufacturing process according to this embodiment will be described below.

(1) As, Sb, P or the like is ion-implanted and impurity diffusion is performed to form an n⁺ -type buried region 2 (impurity concentration=1×10¹⁶ to 10¹⁹ cm⁻³) in a p- or n-type substrate 1.

(2) An n⁻ -type region 3 (impurity concentration=1×10¹⁴ to 10¹⁷ cm⁻³) is formed by an epitaxial technique or the like.

(3) An n⁺ -type region 7 (impurity concentration=1×10¹⁷ to 10²⁰ cm⁻³) for decreasing a collector resistance is formed.

(4) A channel stopper 6 is formed by ion implantation.

(5) An element isolation region 101 is formed by a selective oxidation method, a CVD method or the like.

(6) B, BF₂, Ga or the like is ion-implanted to form a base region 4 (impurity concentration=1×10¹⁶ to 10¹⁹ cm⁻³). (For example, B⁺ is ion-implanted at a dose of 3×10¹⁴ /cm² and 40 keV and annealed at 900° C. for 20 minutes by using N₂.)

(7) An emitter contact is formed in an oxide film 102 to form an emitter region 5 so as not to form a thin oxide film. For example, after the surface is cleaned in an H₂ atmosphere at 900° C. and a reduced pressure of 10 Torr, an epitaxial layer 5 is formed in an SiH₂ Cl₂ +H₂ atmosphere at 850° C. to 900° C. and 50 Torr.

(8) Carbon (concentration=1×10 cm⁻³) is ion-implanted with 50 keV, and annealing is performed at 1,000° C. for about 20 minutes to perform recrystallization. Thereafter, phosphorus serving as a dopant for the emitter is ion-implanted with a dose of 5×10¹⁵ cm⁻² and 60 keV to pattern the emitter region 5.

(9) After additional annealing is performed, an insulating film 103 is deposited and a contact opening is formed.

(10) Al--Si for forming as an electrode 200 is sputtered and patterned.

(11) After the Al--Si electrode is alloyed, a passivation film 104 is formed.

The BPT shown in FIG. 4 was manufactured by the process having the above steps. In the present invention, most important steps are step (7) of forming a high-quality monocrystalline Si emitter and step (8) of ion-implanting C in the emitter to form an Si_(1-x) C_(x).

Since a diffusion coefficient D_(C) of C in Si is smaller than a diffusion coefficient D_(P) of phosphorus, i.e., D_(C) <D_(P), a profile is not largely disturbed after ion implantation of carbon, but P is uniformly diffused in Si and Si_(1-x) C_(x) to form the emitter. In addition, crystal recovery after C is ion-implanted in Si occurs at 900° C. or more. Even if a temperature is 1,000° C. or more, however, since C has a different lattice constant from that of Si and SiC has a different crystal structure, Si and Si_(1-x) C_(x) are crystallized while producing stress in a region having a low concentration of C. When the C concentration becomes substantially the same as the Si concentration, polycrystals of SiC are produced inside. In an intermediate state between these two states, polycrystals of SiC are partially formed in an atomic scale. Therefore, a small amount of C is preferred in order to reduce the stress of Si_(1-x) C_(x) for forming the emitter.

A value of about 0.1 eV is sufficient as ΔE_(g). When ΔE_(g) =0.1 eV, exp(-0.1/kT)=0.018 is obtained, and a passing ratio of electrons becomes about 2%. That is, when x≅0.05 (represented by x in Si_(1-x) C_(x)) or C≅2.5×10²¹ cm⁻³ (a peak value represented by a C concentration), sufficient inhibiting power can be obtained. If ΔE_(g) of the hetero BPT is 0.15, an ft characteristic is saturated. In view of this, therefore, x≦0.075 is most preferred.

When carbon is doped by ion implantation, a maximum concentration can be set at a portion having a predetermined concentration from the surface, and a concentration on the surface can be reduced. Therefore, an ohmic resistance with respect to the metal electrode 200 can be set to be the same as that of Si. The composition of Si_(1-x) C_(x) on the surface need only satisfy ΔE_(g) <kT. Therefore, if x<0.0125 (represented by x in Si_(1-x) C_(x)), an increase in ohmic resistance is not a problem.

FIG. 5 shows an analysis result of a concentration distribution obtained by an SIMS when C⁺ is ion-implanted at 50 kV and a dose of 1×10¹⁶ cm⁻². As shown in FIG. 5, a peak concentration of 10²¹ cm⁻³ is present at a portion having a depth of about 1,000 Å from the surface and a width of about 2,000 Å. Since the surface concentration is about 1/10 the peak concentration, the composition of the surface layer is very close to Si. If x=0.1 is obtained at the peak concentration, x=about 0.01 is obtained on the surface.

A distribution of ion implantation in the depth direction is approximately represented by the following equation:

    N(x)≅{N.sub.o /(2.5ΔR.sub.P)}

    x exp  {-(x-R.sub.P)/ΔR.sub.P.sup.2 }!               2-(12)

where N_(o) is the ion implantation amount (cm⁻²), R_(P) is the peak depth, and ΔR_(P) is the diffusion width of ions.

According to the BPT of this embodiment, the current gain can be increased, and variations in individual BPTs can be reduced.

(Embodiment 2)

FIG. 17 is a view showing another embodiment of the present invention.

A BPT according to this embodiment differs from that of Embodiment 1 in that an n⁺⁺ -type layer having a higher impurity concentration than that of an emitter region 5 is formed in a region having a small amount of C. This layer is formed to decrease an ohmic resistance with respect to a metal electrode 200, thereby increasing an operation speed of the BPT.

(Embodiment 3)

FIG. 19 is a circuit diagram showing a solid state imaging apparatus using the BPT in Embodiment 1. Referring to FIG. 19, the BPT described in Embodiment 1 is used in a portion denoted by Tr.

That is, in this embodiment, the BPT is used as a photoelectric conversion element.

When an area sensor shown in FIG. 19 is used as a color camera, for example, optical information of the same photoelectric conversion element is read a plurality of times. In this case, since the same element is subjected to a read operation a plurality of times, a ratio of an electric output upon first read operation with respect to that upon second and subsequent read operations. If this ratio is small, correction must be performed.

Assuming that the ratio between the first and second read outputs is defined as a nondestructive degree, this nondestructive degree is represented by the following equation:

    nondestructive degree=(C.sub.tot ×h.sub.FE)/(C.sub.tot ×h.sub.FE +C.sub.v)

where C_(tot) is the total capacitance connected to the base of the photoelectric conversion element indicated by Tr in FIG. 17 and is determined by a base-emitter capacitance C_(be), a base-collector capacitance C_(bc) and C_(ox), and C_(v) is the floating capacitance of a read line represented by VL₁, . . . , VL_(n). Note that C_(ox) may not be present in accordance with the type of circuit system.

The nondestruction degree can be easily improved by increasing h_(FE). That is, the nondestruction degree could be increased by using the BPT of Embodiment 1 capable of increasing h_(FE).

In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to an area sensor. It is obvious, however, that the present invention can be applied to a line sensor.

(Embodiment 4)

FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view showing a semiconductor device according to still another embodiment of the present invention. Although not shown, the device according to this embodiment differs from that of Embodiment 1 in that a base region 4 consists of Si--B--Ge. Referring to FIG. 4, the same reference numerals as in FIG. 1 denote the same parts. The semiconductor device according to this embodiment differs from conventional semiconductor devices in the following points.

(1) An Si_(1-x) C_(x) region 401 is formed by ion-implanting C.

(2) An impurity concentration of the emitter is 1×10¹⁹ cm⁻³ or less so that almost no band gap narrowing occurs at least near the interface with respect to the base.

(3) A base region 4 is formed by using Si--B--Ge, and an impurity concentration of the base region is set to be about 10¹⁸ to 10²¹ cm⁻³ to cause band gap narrowing.

A high-concentration layer having a concentration of about 10¹⁸ to 10²¹ cm⁻³ is preferably formed on the surface of the emitter region 5 in order to decrease an ohmic resistance between the emitter and the electrode.

FIG. 20 is a view showing a potential upon normal operation in the depth direction of a section A-A' of the semiconductor device according to this embodiment shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 20 shows a thickness W_(E) of an emitter neutral region, a distance W_(E) ' between a potential barrier in the emitter and a junction surface, a thickness W_(B) of a base neutral region, a band gap E_(g1) of Si, a band gap E_(g2) of Si_(1-x) C_(x), and a band gap E_(g3) of the base causing band narrowing. E_(g1), E_(g2) and E_(g3) satisfy relations of ΔE₁ =E_(g2) -E_(g1) and ΔE₂ =E_(g1) -E_(g3).

A BPT manufacturing process according to this embodiment will be described below.

(1) As, Sb, P or the like is ion-implanted and impurity diffusion is performed to form an n⁺ -type buried region 2 (impurity concentration=1×10¹⁶ to 10¹⁹ cm⁻³) in a p- or n-type substrate 1.

(2) An n⁻¹ -type region 3 (impurity concentration=1×10¹⁴ to 10¹⁷ cm⁻³) is formed by an epitaxial technique or the like.

(3) An n⁺ -type region 7 (impurity concentration=1×10¹⁷ to 10²⁰ cm⁻³) for decreasing a collector resistance is formed.

(4) A channel stopper 6 is formed by ion implantation.

(5) An element isolation region 101 is formed by a selective oxidation method, a CVD method or the like.

(6) After Ge is ion-implanted in a base region 4 at a concentration of 5×10¹⁶ cm⁻³ and 150 keV, annealing is performed at 1,050° C. for 30 minutes.

(7) B, BF₂ or the like is ion-implanted (for example, BF₂ ⁺ is ion-implanted at a dose of 1×10¹⁴ /cm² and 30 keV), and annealing is performed at 800° C. for 20 minutes by using N₂, thereby forming a base region 4.

(8) An emitter contact is formed in an oxide film 102 to form an emitter region 5 so as not to form a thin oxide film. In this embodiment, after the surface is cleaned in an H₂ atmosphere at 900° C. and a reduced pressure of 10 Torr, the emitter layer 5 is formed in an SiH₂ Cl₂ +H₂ atmosphere at 850° C. to 900° C. and 50 Torr by epitaxial growth.

(9) Carbon (concentration=1×10¹⁶ cm⁻²) is ion-implanted at 50 keV, and annealing is performed at 1,000° C. for about 20 minutes to perform recrystallization. Thereafter, phosphorus serving as a dopant for the emitter is ion-implanted at a dose of 5×10¹⁵ cm⁻² and 60 keV to pattern the emitter region 5.

(10) After additional annealing is performed, an insulating film 103 is deposited and a contact opening is formed.

(11) Al--Si for forming an electrode 200 is sputtered and patterned.

(12) After the Al--Si electrode is alloyed, a passivation film 104 is formed.

The BPT shown in FIG. 4 was manufactured by the process having the above steps. In the present invention, most important steps are steps (6) and (7) of forming Si--B--Ge, step (8) of forming a high-quality monocrystalline Si emitter and step (9) of ion-implanting C in the emitter to form an Si_(1-x) C_(x) mixed crystal.

The above manufacturing steps will be described in detail below.

Although Si is in an amorphous state after Ge is implanted in step (6), crystal recovery can be easily, solid-state-epitaxially performed by annealing at 900° C. or more. In addition, a diffusion constant of Ge in Si is small and a concentration profile is substantially not changed upon annealing at 1,000° C. or less. In step (6), therefore, a distribution of Ge is determined by performing annealing at 1,050° C. for 30 minutes, and a process temperature is set at 1,000° C. or less in the subsequent annealing step so as not to change the Ge distribution.

It is very important to form the emitter region 5 so as not to form a thin oxide film in step (8), and this step has a large effect on the characteristics of the hetero BPT.

In step (8), diffusion of the p-type region of the base occurs unless monocrystals or polycrystals are deposited at a temperature of 1,000° C. or less. The p-type impurity must be shallower than or at the same level as the Ge region.

Step (9) will be described below.

Since a diffusion coefficient D_(C) of C in Si is smaller than a diffusion coefficient D_(P) of phosphorus, i.e., D_(C) <D_(P), a profile is not largely disturbed after ion implantation of carbon, but P is easily, uniformly diffused in Si and Si_(1-x) C_(x) to form the emitter. Crystal recovery after C is ion-implanted in Si occurs at 900° C. or more. Therefore, ion implantation is preferably performed at 1,000° C. or more.

The characteristic of the current gain h_(FE) of the above BPT was measured. As a result, h_(FE) was significantly increased.

(Embodiment 5)

FIG. 17 is a schematic sectional view showing still another embodiment of the present invention. Similar to Embodiment 4, a base region of this embodiment differs from that of Embodiment 2.

The semiconductor device according to this embodiment differs from that according to Embodiment 1 in that an n⁺ -type layer 11 for reducing an ohmic resistance is formed in a region having a low concentration of C of an Si_(1-x) C_(x) region 10.

With this structure, an ohmic contact can be perfectly the same as that of Si.

In this embodiment, the n⁺ -type layer is formed in the Si_(1-x) C_(x) region 10. The structure, however, may be modified such that after the Si_(1-x) C_(x) region 10 is formed, the n⁺ -type layer is formed thereon by LPCVD or the like.

(Embodiment 6)

FIG. 17 is a circuit diagram showing a solid state imaging apparatus using the hetero BPT according to Embodiment 4. Referring to FIG. 17, the hetero BPT described in Embodiment 4 is used in a portion represented by Tr.

That is, in this embodiment, the hetero BPT is used as a photoelectric conversion element.

Since the present invention can improve f_(T) (frequency) of a semiconductor device, it can be very effectively applied to a photoelectric conversion apparatus.

f_(T) of a photoelectric conversion apparatus is determined by a read speed.

A current photoelectric conversion apparatus (area sensor) has 500×640 elements. An HD (High Division; an area sensor for high vision) has 1,000×2,000 elements. In an operation of a current television, a horizontal scanning time is HT≅50 μsec, and a horizontal blanking period HBLK is 8 to 10 μsec. In the HD, HT=3 to 3.7 μsec, and HBLK=26 μsec. While a horizontal scanning time is conventionally T_(H) =50 μsec/640=80 nsec, that of the HD is T_(H) =26 μsec/2,000=13 nsec.

The frequency must be at least six times. That is, since a current frequency is f_(T) ≅1 to 2 GHz, it must be f_(T) >6 to 16 GHz or more.

For the above reason, ΔE_(g) is preferably 0.15 eV or less.

The area sensor using a photoelectric conversion element having the BPT arrangement of Embodiment 4 was used as a color camera.

As described above, a nondestruction degree can be easily improved by increasing h_(FE). That is, the nondestruction degree can be increased by using the BPT arrangement of Embodiment 4 capable of increasing h_(FE).

In the area sensor for the HD, C_(tot) =10 fF, and C_(v) =2.5 PF. Therefore, in order to obtain a nondestruction degree of 0.90 or more, for example, h_(FE) of 2,250 or more is required. In order to assure a sufficient nondestruction degree, h_(FE) must be 2,000 or more.

To the contrary, in a conventional homojunction BPT, for example, no sufficient nondestruction degree can be obtained since h_(FE) is at most 1,000. In the semiconductor device of the present invention, however, a high nondestruction degree can be obtained since h_(FE) can be sufficiently increased.

More preferably, the nondestruction degree is 0.98 or more. In this case, h_(FE) must be about 10,000. This value cannot be achieved by a conventional hetero or homo BPT but can be achieved only by the hetero BPT of the present invention.

In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to an area sensor. It is obvious, however, that the present invention can be applied to a line sensor.

(Embodiment 7)

FIG. 12 is a schematic sectional view showing a semiconductor device according to still another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 12, the same reference numerals as in FIG. 1 denote the same parts. The semiconductor device according to this embodiment differs from the conventional semiconductor device shown in FIG. 1 in that no silicon oxide is formed between emitter and base regions an Si_(1-x) C_(x) region 10 is formed by ion-implanting C, and a base region 4, and a portion 9 of a collector region near an interface with the base region consist of a mixed crystal of Si and Ge.

FIG. 5 is a view schematically showing a potential upon normal operation in the depth direction of a section A-A' of the semiconductor device of this embodiment shown in FIG. 12. FIG. 12 shows a thickness W_(E) of an emitter neutral region, a thickness W_(B) of a base neutral region, a band gap E_(g1) of Si, a band gap E_(g2) of Si_(1-x) C_(x), and a band gap E_(g3) of Si_(1-y) Ge_(y). E_(g1), E_(g2) and E_(g3) satisfy relations of ΔE₁ =E_(g2) -E_(g1) and ΔE₂ =E_(g1) -E_(g3). As shown in FIG. 5, a potential barrier is present in a position indicated by W_(E) '.

A BPT manufacturing process according to this embodiment will be described below.

(1) As, Sb, P or the like is ion-implanted and impurity diffusion is performed to form an n⁺ -type buried region 2 (impurity concentration=1×10 to 10¹⁹ cm⁻³) in a p- or n-type substrate 1.

(2) An n⁻ -type region 3 (impurity concentration=1×10¹⁴ to 10¹⁷ cm⁻³) is formed by an epitaxial technique or the like.

(3) An n⁺ -type region 7 (impurity concentration=1×10¹⁷ to 10²⁰ cm⁻³) for decreasing a collector resistance is formed.

(4) A channel stopper 6 is formed by ion implantation.

(5) An element isolation region 101 is formed by a selective oxidation method, a CVD method or the like.

(6) After Ge is ion-implanted in a base region 4 at a concentration of 5×10¹⁶ cm⁻³ and 150 keV, annealing is performed at 1,050° C. for 30 minutes.

(7) B, BF₂, Ga or the like is ion-implanted (for example, B⁺ is ion-implanted at a dose of 3×10¹⁴ /cm² and 30 keV), and annealing is performed at 900° C. for 20 minutes by using N₂, thereby forming a base region 4.

(8) An emitter contact is formed in an oxide film 102 to form an emitter region 5 so as not to form a thin oxide film. In this embodiment, after the surface is cleaned in an H₂ atmosphere at 900° C. and 10 Torr, the emitter layer 5 is formed in an SiH₂ Cl₂ +H₂ atmosphere at 850° C. to 900° C. and 50 Torr by epitaxial growth.

(9) Carbon (concentration=1×10¹⁶ cm⁻³) is ion-implanted at 50 keV, and annealing is performed at 1,000° C. for about 20 minutes to perform recrystallization. Thereafter, phosphorus serving as a dopant for the emitter is ion-implanted at a dose of 5×10 cm and 60 keV to pattern the emitter region 5.

(10) After additional annealing is performed, an insulating film 103 is deposited and a contact opening is formed.

(11) Al--Si for forming an electrode 200 is sputtered and patterned.

(12) After the Al--Si electrode is alloyed, a passivation film 104 is formed.

The BPT shown in FIG. 12 was manufactured by the process having the above steps. In the present invention, most important steps are step (6) of forming Si_(1-y) Ge_(y), step (8) of forming a high-quality monocrystalline Si emitter and step (9) of ion-implanting C in the emitter to form an Si_(1-x) C_(x) mixed crystal.

The above manufacturing steps will be described in detail below.

Although Si is in an amorphous state after Ge is implanted in step (6), crystal recovery can be easily, solid-state-epitaxially performed by annealing at 900° C. or more. In addition, a diffusion constant of Ge in Si is small and a concentration profile is substantially not changed upon annealing at 1,000° C. or less. In step (6), therefore, a distribution of Ge is determined by performing annealing at 1,050° C. for 30 minutes, and a process temperature is set at 1,000° C. or less in the subsequent annealing step so as not to change the Ge distribution.

It is very important to form the emitter region 5 so as not to form a thin oxide film in step (8), and this step has a large effect on the characteristics of the hetero BPT.

In step (8), diffusion of the p-type region of the base occurs unless monocrystals or polycrystals are deposited at a temperature of 1,000° C. or less. The p-type impurity must be shallower than or at the same level as the Ge region.

Step (9) will be described below.

Since a diffusion coefficient D_(C) of C in Si is smaller than a diffusion coefficient D_(P) of phosphorus, i.e., D_(C) <D_(P), a profile is not largely disturbed after ion implantation of carbon, but P is easily, uniformly diffused in Si and Si_(1-x) C_(x) to form the emitter. Crystal recovery after C is ion-implanted in Si occurs at 900° C. or more. Therefore, ion implantation is preferably performed at 1,000° C. or more.

The characteristic of the current gain h_(FE) of the above BPT was measured. As a result, h_(FE) was significantly increased.

(Embodiment 8)

FIG. 21 is a schematic sectional view showing still another embodiment of the present invention.

A BPT according to this embodiment differs from that of Embodiment 7 in that an Si_(1-y) Ge_(y) region 9 is formed only below an emitter region 5 and an n⁺⁺ -type layer 11 is formed on an emitter surface.

According to this embodiment, since a potential barrier is formed in the lateral direction of the emitter, an injected current to the base in the lateral direction of the emitter can be reduced, thereby further increasing the current gain h_(FE).

The reason why h_(FE) can be increased by this embodiment will be described in detail below.

FIG. 18 is an enlarged schematic sectional view showing the emitter portion of the BPT shown in

FIG. 21. FIG. 18 shows a depth x_(h) of the emitter in a substrate, a vertical base width W_(B), and a distance W_(B) ' to the potential barrier. As shown in FIG. 18, a base current J_(B) can be divided into a lateral component J_(Bx) and a vertical component J_(By). Of these components, the lateral component J_(Bx) reduces h_(FE).

Assuming that carriers are perfectly blocked by this potential barrier, J_(Bx) can be represented as follows:

    J.sub.Bx ={q·n.sub.1.sup.2 ·D.sub.n exp(ΔE.sub.g /kT)/N.sub.B ·L.sub.n }×tan h(W.sub.B '/L.sub.N){exp (V.sub.BE /kT)-1}                                         2-(19)

Assuming that an emitter area is A_(E) and an emitter peripheral length is L_(E), h_(FE) is represented by the following equation:

    h.sub.FE =A.sub.E J.sub.C /(A.sub.E J.sub.By +L.sub.E X.sub.j J.sub.Bx)2-(20)

Since L_(E) X_(j) is negligible when the peripheral length is not important, h_(FE) is determined as h_(FE) =J_(C) /J_(By). In a micropatterned BPT, however, L_(E) X_(j) becomes substantially the same as A_(E) and therefore can no longer be negligible. For example, assuming that X_(j) =0.3 μm and A_(E) =1×1 μm², X_(j) L_(E) /A_(E) =1.2 is obtained. In this manner, in a micropatterned BPT, h_(FE) has a very large influence.

A ratio of J_(Bx) to J_(By) is approximated as follows for L_(n) >>W_(B) and L_(n) >>W_(B) ':

    J.sub.Bx /J.sub.By ≅2W.sub.B '/W.sub.B           2-(21)

That is, a current density in the lateral direction is larger than that in the vertical direction. In a BPT having no potential barrier, since J_(Bx) /J_(By) ≅2(L_(n/W) _(B)) is established and a relationship between L_(n) and W_(B) is normally L_(n) ≅W_(B), a lateral current density is large.

As in this embodiment, however, when a potential barrier is formed in the lateral direction and the emitter is formed to satisfy a relation of A_(E) =L_(EX) ², h_(FE) is represented by the following equation:

    h.sub.FE =(J.sub.C /J.sub.By)  1/{(8X.sub.j /L.sub.Ex)(W.sub.B '/W.sub.B)}!=h.sub.FEO {1/(8X.sub.j /L.sub.Ex)(W.sub.B '/W.sub.B)}2-(22)

That is, h_(FE) becomes much smaller than h_(FEO) determined by a BPT structure in the vertical direction. In order to reduce an influence of the lateral current, the following relation must be satisfied:

    (8X.sub.j /L.sub.Ex)(W.sub.B '/W.sub.B)≦1           2-(23)

For example, when W_(B) '=W_(B) and L_(Ex) =L_(nm), X_(j) is obtained as X_(j) ≦0.125 μm. This effect is very important when an emitter size is small. In a conventional BPT having no potential barrier, h_(FE) cannot be increased since W_(B) ' is replaced by L_(n). Therefore, the characteristics of a hetero BPT cannot be satisfactorily achieved. In the present invention, however, since a BPT can be manufactured to satisfy W_(B) '≦W_(B), reduction in h_(FE) can be suppressed by determining the emitter depth X_(j) in accordance with the emitter area.

In this embodiment, the n⁺⁺ region is formed on the emitter region in order to decrease the ohmic resistance. The n⁺⁺ region preferably consists of polycrystalline silicon.

(Embodiment 9)

FIG. 19 is a circuit diagram showing a solid state imaging apparatus using the BPT according to Embodiment 7. Referring to FIG. 19, the BPT of the Embodiment 7 is used in a portion denoted by Tr.

That is, in this embodiment, the BPT is used as a photoelectric conversion element.

When an area sensor shown in FIG. 19 is to be used as a color camera, optical information of the same photoelectric conversion element is read a plurality of times.

As described above, a nondestruction degree can be easily improved by increasing h_(FE). That is, the nondestruction degree can be increased by using the BPT having the arrangement of Embodiment 7 capable of increasing h_(FE).

In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to an area sensor. It is obvious, however, that the present invention can be applied to a line sensor. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A semiconductor device comprising:(a) an electrode; (b) an emitter region of a first conductivity type comprising a first emitter region; a second emitter region and a third emitter region, wherein the first and third emitter regions have the same constant energy band gap and the second emitter region sandwiched between the first and the third emitter regions has a wider energy band gap than said first and third emitter regions; (c) a base region of a second conductivity type having a constant energy band gap adjacent said emitter region on a side of said emitter region opposite to said electrode, wherein said first and third emitter regions and said base region have the same energy band gap; and (d) a collector region of the first conductivity type adjacent to said base region, wherein a portion of said second emitter region having a thickness sufficient to provide a linear change in energy band gap width different from a non-linear change in energy band gap obtained with a thickness less than 50 Å.
 2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the energy band gap width of said second emitter region is widened by broadening a valence band.
 3. A device according to claim 1, wherein said second base region contains silicon atoms and germanium atoms.
 4. A device according to claim 1, wherein said second emitter region is polycrystalline.
 5. A device according to claim 1, wherein said emitter, base and collector regions are each a monocrystalline semiconductor material.
 6. A device according to claim 1, wherein a length of the portion is not greater than a minority carrier diffusion length within said emitter region.
 7. A device according to claim 1, further comprising:a second base region in which energy band gap width broader than that of said base region and which is arranged at least around said base region adjacent to said collector and said base regions.
 8. A device according to claim 1, wherein said portion of said second emitter region includes silicon atoms and carbon atoms. 